The Vote Failed—But the City Can’t. San Francisco Must Take Back the Zoo.
The San Francisco Zoo is in crisis. It's time the city find a new contractor to run the zoo.
The San Francisco Zoo is in crisis.
Despite mounting scandals, staff departures, and public outcry, the board responsible for overseeing the Zoo has failed to remove CEO Tanya Peterson—a leader whose tenure has been marked by a culture of fear, crumbling public trust, and a record of animal welfare concerns.
Multiple sources confirm that a vote to oust Peterson was recently attempted—but fell short. According to the San Francisco Standard, At least two board members—including a key figure in the investigation into Peterson’s leadership—have resigned. With several Chinese American community members who support the panda program may soon be nominated to the board, strengthening her grip on the 30-member board, not loosening it.
It’s a signal that the San Francisco Zoo, as currently managed, is incapable of self-correcting. It also raises serious legal and ethical questions. As the situation deteriorates, the Zoo’s operations appear to be in direct violation of its city contract—which requires transparency, accountability, and adherence to public oversight.
If San Francisco’s leadership doesn’t act now, it is complicit in allowing this breakdown to continue.
It’s Time to Find a New Contractor to Run the San Francisco Zoo
The City must immediately explore alternative operators for the Zoo—organizations that can step in, rebuild trust, and center the Zoo’s mission around animal care, staff well-being, and community stewardship.
The best option is already in our backyard: the Conservation Society of California, which runs the Oakland Zoo—widely recognized as one of the most progressive and humane zoos in the country. Oakland has proven that zoos can evolve: their leadership has embraced sanctuary-style habitats, climate education, and community partnerships rooted in equity and inclusion.
This is not a radical idea. In fact, New York City uses this model: a single nonprofit partner—the Wildlife Conservation Society—runs multiple institutions (including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and others) under contract with the city. It works. And it ensures consistent oversight, professional standards, and mission alignment across all operations.
Why not here?
San Francisco deserves a zoo that reflects our values—a place where animals are treated with dignity, workers are respected, and families can visit without unknowingly supporting cruelty or mismanagement. Instead, we have a decades-old contract with a private nonprofit that has resisted transparency at every turn, all while receiving millions in public funds.
The Mayor Must Act
Mayor Lurie has a decision to make. He can allow the dysfunction to fester — ( Hello, Parks Alliance) — or he can act on his promises to root out corruption and reform broken institutions.
The City must begin proceedings to terminate the lease with the San Francisco Zoological Society and negotiate a new management agreement with a credible, ethical, and proven partner. The Conservation Society of California should be at the table.
The Zoo is failing. San Francisco cannot afford to wait for another scandal—or another lost life, human or animal—before taking action.
The path forward is clear. It’s time to walk it.